On Friday, October 25, 2024, WAFF reported that a status hearing has been scheduled for Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gilbert Self, who faces multiple charges related to the misuse of public funds. The hearing is set for November 14, 2024, where a trial date may be established for the case against him.
Judge Self, who has served in his position for over two decades, was indicted in January on a total of 18 counts. These charges include 16 counts of using his office for personal gain or for the benefit of family members, one count of making a false representation to the Examiners of Public Accounts, and one count of perjury. The accusations stem from findings of an audit that revealed Self allegedly misappropriated more than $146,000 in county funds for unauthorized expenses, including hiring his son for a position in the Lauderdale County law library.
The court documents indicate that the alleged misuse of funds occurred over a period from April 2020 to February 2023. Prosecutors claim that Judge Self improperly utilized court funds for personal travel and other items without the necessary approvals. Additionally, they allege that he misled a grand jury regarding the authorization for hiring his son.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Judge Self has maintained his position on the bench and continues to receive his biweekly salary while the legal proceedings unfold. In a previous statement, he acknowledged making “honest but correctable mistakes” in managing two court bank accounts but has consistently pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
As the case progresses, Judge Self’s defense team has sought more clarity regarding the perjury charge, arguing that the indictment did not provide sufficient details about which statements were allegedly false or who had approved the hiring of his son. However, these requests were denied by Circuit Judge Tim Jolley in April.
The upcoming status hearing is critical for determining the next steps in this high-profile case, as it may set the timeline for the trial and further legal proceedings related to the allegations against Judge Self.
Source: WAFF
